The Lions Binkert Hiking Trail, Lions Bay along Howe Sound, BC

Lisa from Originally? or now? writes:

Walked up today, July 26, 2010. Keep going!!! Yes, the trail past the creek up through the trees is quite difficult but once you reach the open views, SPECTACULAR. If you make it that far KEEP GOING!!! The higher you go the easier it gets and the more spectacular the views. Definitely a little bit of scrambling but so worth it!!! I met a guy with two kids going to the top of the west Lion. I was by myself and so didn't attempt the Lion itself. Any advice from someone who has been up them? The guy I met on the trail said if you drop down into the gully and go up the back side it isn't too bad?!? So lovely, so clear, Mount Baker, Garibaldi, Seymour... Ocean, islands, Fantastic!

Posted: July 26, 2010 07:45:24 PM PST

Sasha Liang from Vancouver writes:

We are going up Sunday...will advise on the status of the trail.

Posted: July 23, 2010 06:50:22 PM PST

Raj from Surrey writes:

I hiked first time last week at grouse grind. I want to know is it really harder than grouse grind?

Posted: July 18, 2010 11:03:10 AM PST

Steve from Eugene writes:

hiked to the saddle between the lions today (July 14), but no higher. Still a lot of snow after you leave the boulder-and-downed-tree-nearly-vertical-maze. There are a few markers visible above the snow, but most remain hidden. Best to leave early. I started at 8:30 am, and the snow was OK on the way up, but coming down around noon I broke through a few times.

Posted: July 14, 2010 06:27:36 PM PST

Oliver from Delta writes:

Yes, I know a few people who have 'camped' up at the top on flat spots

Posted: July 14, 2010 11:23:40 AM PST

mike from north van writes:

The description says there is no camping, but do do people rough it on flat spots? Never done the lions and I'm looking for a multi day hike...

Posted: July 13, 2010 04:17:18 PM PST

Dave from N. Delta writes:

Hiked for the first time on July 5th. The snow at the base of the summit is still there, and quite deep at the higher elevations. I started the hike a 7am so the snow was very hard and crusty, made easy going. Made it to Thomas Peak but did not continue onto the very tops of either of the Lion columns, the snow was getting quite wet and slushy from the mid-morning sun. But with no special gear made it just fine, I would just recommend getting up and down off of the snow before it gets too warm and you punch right through it. The trail makers are under the snow, but at that point the peaks are very close and always in line of sight. Good hiking!

Posted: July 5, 2010 04:32:50 PM PST

Nicole from Vancouver writes:

Could you make it to the base of the lions with all the snow? What Kind of gear did you need?

Posted: June 30, 2010 03:18:33 PM PST

David from Vancouver writes:

did the trail last weekend (19th). lots of snow on top and most of the markers are under the snow but was still worth it.
Basically everything that M said in he/she comment was everything i experienced.

Posted: June 27, 2010 03:19:29 PM PST

Nicole from Vancouver writes:

Anyone hike this recently. Hoping to head up July 1 and curious about the conditons.

Posted: June 26, 2010 02:24:30 PM PST

m from Vancouver writes:

I meant 6/17/10

Posted: June 21, 2010 02:08:11 PM PST

m from Vancouver writes:

I just did this for the first time yesterday 07/17/10. I personally thought the first hour of the inclined logging road was the most intense part of the entire trail. It was foggy from the get go and so we didn't see any of the views. It started to rain so trail was pretty wet.

There's still ALOT of snow up top. Tried to go as far as we could on the snow but the fog got thicker and we lost the markers as we got higher. The markers are sometimes not easy to spot and there are a few huge logs that you have go around, over, or under. I have no idea how high we got, couldn't tell because of the fog. Based on the amount of snow I imagine we were pretty high up and based on time we probably had another 40 mins or so to go.

The descent wasn't as quick as we expected. I'm sure it would've been alot quicker in better conditions. Despite not making it to the summit, this trail was intense but the best and most rewarding one I've been on so far. I definitely plan to go again when the snow clears and I recommend this trail to any avid hiker.

Posted: June 19, 2010 01:14:17 AM PST

Hikeroo from Vancouver writes:

Did anyone do this trail today or yesterday? I've never done this hike before so I'm just wondering what the conditions are like right now.

The site says the trail is good July-Aug. Does anyone know if there've been alot of people going at this time?

Posted: June 17, 2010 12:19:49 AM PST

David Manders from Vancouver writes:

I was up there today, and wow, there is still a lot of snow. I'd wager 3ft at least through out the upper bowl and at the summit. Given the softness and the amount of water and the direct sun, I have a feeling it's going to go pretty quick now. But 3ft of snow is a lot to melt.

Posted: June 13, 2010 09:05:40 PM PST

vittorio s from vancouver writes:

I hiked the trail yesterday October the 19th 2009. Beautiful sunny day. Beautiful, challenging hike after Harvey Creek. The problems started 20 minutes after I reached the first ridge because it is difficult to follow the coloured tape marker In a spot, kind of rockslide, I didn't know if I were to go straight or left..and so stopped for lunch, not far from the second ridge I suppose.Despite this it is a very beautiful hike after passed Harvey Creek bridge

Posted: October 20, 2009 09:17:23 PM PST

lb from New west writes:

Hi...55 year old woman with moderate fitness (do 1 1/2 hr on seymour every sunday ...trail was challenging for me and was happy to get above the tree line , did not go the last 45 min to the top...great view but pretty tough on the knees going down. felt like a great accomplishment for me and sure most younger adults could handle it no problem. Worth the scramble. Next year_the top!

Posted: October 4, 2009 11:31:40 PM PST

Ray Stothers from Nelson writes:

The Lions is one of the most memorable hike I have ever done. A real breathful! I am thinking of a trip back with friends and they wonder if there might be any caves in the area. Any ideas?

Posted: September 26, 2009 10:36:36 AM PST

T from Delta writes:

This is where that French guy slipped on the last 200 feet on the way up and fell 45 meters down the rocky hill... smashing his leg to bits. Other people have died at the very end of their day. Think twice about your family before sumitting the West Lion.

Posted: August 11, 2009 02:59:44 PM PST

MEPISTO from Vancouver writes:

Did the Lions this week-end and the hardest part of it was to find a parking for the car ;op
Seriously, the parking where the trail starts is split in 2, visitors and residents (around 15 spots all together); and I am sure that some residents park their cars in the visitors' spots so they will not get annoyed by too many hikers....lame....
Except that, the trail is correctly marked (make sure to check out the signs on the trees for direction) and fun, especially if you are planning to climb up to the summit. The ropes are sturdy, but honestly the view is not worth the risk.
Just for you to situate yourself, I am an average hiker and it took me 5h30mn to complete the trail (did the summit too) + an extra 3km (parked the car very far).
3L of water should be fine unless you are an heavy drinker (used almost 2L on a very shiny hot day).
In short make sure to be there early enough (before 8AM) and do not forget your water as there is no place to refill or drink..... Enjoy!

Posted: August 4, 2009 02:11:29 PM PST

B from UBC writes:

I went up today and it was amazing. The view is incredible and the weather was great. The only problem was the bugs so don't forget to bring good bug spray. We saw a search and rescue heli and passed some s&r hikers that were looking for someone who had lost the trail and hurt himself.

We didn't arrive at the parking lot until about 2pm and there was only one spot left so we got lucky. That extra 1km to the school lot would really suck after this hike. Also make sure to bring plenty of water.

Posted: July 16, 2009 02:46:13 AM PST

Ben from North Vancouver writes:

Just did it today and it was great. Much easier than we heard and would reccomend it to someone looking for a good day of hiking. Not much snow at the top and what was there was hikeable. Dont do it with dogs because it is too steep for them. Only downside is the long boring logging road, also pack light for the trip and pack a rewarding lunch for the top. Overall sweet hike!

Posted: July 14, 2009 07:08:54 PM PST

Mike from Burnaby writes:

I've done both the route from Cypress along the Howe Sound Crest trail and the route from Lions Bay and I've found that the route from Cypress is much longer and more difficult. The trail from Cypress goes up and over St. Mark's Summit and Unnecessary Mountain before getting to the Lions and then returning that same route made for a really long day. The trail from Lions Bay is steep but it's down hill on the way back.

Of course, there are some great views along the route from Cypress of Howe Sound and the islands off in the distance, which makes this route very appealing.

Posted: July 14, 2009 09:23:59 AM PST

Donna from Vancouver writes:

What's the difference between going from Lions Bay and doing it from Cypress-Unneccesary Mountain way? Which do you recommend?

Posted: July 13, 2009 06:21:45 PM PST

C from Vancouver writes:

Just wondering how difficult is the hike, is it for the strong willed cardio frenzy person or can an average joe handle it?

Posted: July 12, 2009 12:13:56 AM PST

Joel and Sara from Vancouver writes:

We hiked the lions on Saturday July 11th starting at 8AM. The trail was nice to start off at a gradual incline for about 45 minutes until you hit the bridge across Harvey creek. Shortly after Harvey Creek the ascent becomes a little more difficult with a steep grade and a path that often contacins loose rock and fallen tree trunks.

After about 2 hours we hit the intial viewpoint and climbed up to the ridge between the final lions viewpoint and Unnecessary Mtn. The view from the top was phenomenal with the peak of Black Tusk to the north and Howe Sound and Vancouver Island off to our West and South. It was surprising how many people were trying to take the hike on in the late morning and even the early afternoon. If we may impart some advice, be sure to show up early as no one would want to tack on the entra KM before and after the hike by parking at the school lot.

Posted: July 11, 2009 04:25:01 PM PST

H from Vancouver writes:

Did the hike on June 28, there's still a fair amount of snow near the top, making it a little slick for the last 30 minutes.

Posted: June 29, 2009 12:54:43 PM PST

Peter from Vancouver writes:

Is there any campsites on the this hike?

I remeber a clearing on a ridge just as you leave the tree-line. Has anyone ever camped there?

Posted: June 23, 2009 08:25:00 AM PST

Ivan G from Richmond writes:

Thea or anyone else who did it this year already

How much snow is there right now? I want to do the hike but I am concerned that there will be too much snow still.

Posted: June 16, 2009 02:42:54 PM PST

Thea from Burnaby writes:

I did the Lions hike starting from Lions Bay and ending it on Cypress. It was an 11.5 hr hike including the 4 climbs of Unnecessary Mountain - it was awesome. Best hike ever!

Posted: June 3, 2009 10:28:38 PM PST

Clay Gomez from West Van writes:

It's been a few years since I hiked up to the Lions so decided to try it today. The trail was very difficult, especially after crossing Harvey Creek, about 15 minutes later is a large section of trees that have fallen down. The trail is difficult to follow and you have to climb up and over many trees and through the mud which is very tiring. Then the last section is open with no trees and you go up the rocks but it was so cloudy that I couldn't see anything around me.

I followed the instructions on the site to go early because of parking and it was good that I did because there were not many spots. However, I think the sun might have come out and maybe there was a view a couple of hours after I went back down.

Posted: August 30, 2008 05:38:52 PM PST

Alice Crawford from currently - Vancouver writes:

just hiked the trail on Saturday Aug 9th, 2008 - quite wet - clear on the north side - socked in completely on the south side of the ridge - small section of the trail has been obstructed by a debris slide (trees and rock) on the section between Harvey creek and the first part of the accent to the ridge before the first plateau (viewpoint to Harvey Mtn.) Trail markers become difficult to find thru this section. Started at 7:45am arrived at peak approx 2pm - back to parkinglot at 7pm - stopped frequently.
Trail is not too difficult (basically lots of uphill walking, some climbing over fallen trees and such) with the exception of the last part up the rocky peak - that I would say is not difficult if you don't freak yourself out - and definitely DO NOT LET GO - there are no second chances. You slip and that would be it for you. Lastly I would say that I IMAGINE the view to be phenomenal - except we were so socked in by clouds that the East Lion was not even visible, much less the rest of the "spectacular" view :( oh well, guess I have an excuse to do the hike again until I get that picture! Super sore thighs today - but worth every ugh ugh ugh! - highly recommend it to anyone who has the will.....do it!

Posted: August 11, 2008 11:24:29 AM PST